When a Dream is Done

by Erebos Brando

Where do we go when we reach the top of the world? To who do we turn when all there are, are those we have forsaken? Who do we fight when there's no-one left to defeat? What do we do when our dreams are done? When this is his life, what can Ash do?

5. Fleeting Moments

Author's Notes: Longest chapter yet! Get a cup of coffee or something for this one or you might fall asleep before you get to the good parts.*

This chapter's going to contain a little treat: Ash in battle. Can you honestly not say you're not the slightest bit curious to see how far he came in those two years?

Time for this story to live up to its summary. Time for you to see a little more of how Ash has been changed. Some of you may not like what you find, but unlike the previous chapter's mess up (pre-rewrite, best forgotten) this is an important part of the story.

*Chapter may or may not include any good parts.

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It was 9AM. Rather early for Ash to be up, but in truth he'd been up since dawn, glancing down at the photograph in his hands, the one that reflected everything so clearly. He'd tried sleeping again, and again, but every time it was the same dream, every time it was the same fall, the same emptiness, the same questions.

He'd given up sleeping when he found himself answering them.

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"Why am I so alone?"

"Because I deserve to be."

"Why are my friends gone?"

"Because I abandoned them."

"Why do I hate you?"

"Because you're me."

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Though one question still echoed in the darkness of his mind...

Ash sat, looking down at the photograph in his hands. How was it that he had lost his way so? Where exactly had it started? Ultimately everything that culminated in Unova, but where had it begun? Where was the moment that changed his paths from what he should have been, to what he became? He tried finding a moment, finding some kind of sign that screamed out "right here!" but nothing. There were a thousand little steps along the way, each one taking him closer to the end, but the first step, that first phase. The first domino to fall in the line that lead him to what he was now...

He could not find it. He could not find that moment. The moment which defined when victory became more important to him than his loved ones.

So here he sat, looking down at his past, of his first day, where everything was open, unknown, and grand. When his dreams held no true substance, and were so full of wonder. When he needn't have thought about a thing, when he just walked right out of town, dragging his first Pokémon with him to Arceus knows where (because he didn't, or care either). So many bright days followed that one, so many amazing things, so many accomplishments and experiences, with great friends with him through so much of it.

Yet he had accomplished his greatest feat alone.

He put the photograph to the side, laying back down again. Now this was something; sorrow. This is not something he remembered dealing with in his travels alone, but surely he must have felt it now and then? Sure he did, he didn't become completely emotionless, and he couldn't have outright ignored something like this. So how did-he smacked his forehead. How could he have missed it?

He got back up, placing the photograph back where it came from before poking Pikachu awake and going down for breakfast. Less than an hour later he was ready to start his day. He made his way out, bidding goodbye to his Mom before he did.

It was time to train. Because that's how he'd drowned his sorrows. How interesting it was that the very thing he did to avoid his problems is what ultimately gave him his current status in the world, and created a few more problems in the process.

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Ash entered the Oak ranch, quickly spotting and calling out to his team.

"Roll call! It's time to train!"

It took just under thirty seconds for everyone to make their way to Ash's location, except Snorlax, who was currently busy with a meal. That didn't matter, Snorlax would always respond if Ash told him it was important, and he didn't; so food came first, unless the need for sleep should arise. Then it became a competition between the two.

Ash took a careful look at his five team members, trying to decide on a training routine for today. He glanced to his Water and Grass Pokémon.

"Sceptile, Feraligatr, I want you two to spar. Hand-to-hand, or tail or whatever you feel like bashing each other with. Nothing long range, physical contact only. Use any attack you want otherwise." They nodded, before walking off to find a decently sized clearing for them to fight in. That would keep them busy for over an hour at least. Out of all the sparing matches he could set up between his Pokémon, they always provided the most interesting ones. Sceptile's no-messing-around fast close combat method, just get in, strike until your opponent falls, against Feraligatr's dancing style, which was full of evasion, subterfuge, annoying the enemy, and dance-based counter-attacks provided the most amazing contrast of fighting styles Ash had ever seen. The most interesting part of their spars was seeing who'd manage to land a hit first, and how long that would take.

Ash took a look at the three remaining team members. "Alright, Charizard, I'd rather not have you burn this field to a crisp, so no fire attacks today. Scrafty, I want you to keep attacking Charizard, physical attacks only, this isn't a mountain range so I want it in good shape when you're done. Charizard, just keep blocking him by any means you want, and throw in a counter-attack now and then, keep him on his toes. Keep this up for half hour then take a quick break. After that, reverse roles, Scrafty you dodge Charzard and try and counter. Remember what I keep telling you, element of surprise. Don't throw an attack just because you have an opportunity, it means nothing if your opponent expects it coming. Wait for when they don't expect it to come." Scrafty nodded, and both he and Charizard walked off, taking a clearing of their own to fight in, a very eager little Ash following to see his father train.

Ash looked to the last member of his team. Snorlax. Out of his team, Snorlax was both the most difficult, and easiest to train. Snorlax's fighting style consisted mostly of defence/endurance, and (literally) throwing his weight around. There was no true intricacy in his fighting style, so extensive training was practically impossible. That was the hard part, Ash had gotten used to in-depth training, the easy part is all that Snorlax's training really came down too was boosting his physical power and expanding his attack arsenal. Simplicity is power, and Snorlax's fighting style had both. Right now however Snorlax was helping himself to a feast of Pokéblocks. Clearly training him today was not going to happen. No matter. One day off wasn't going to hurt. He smiled, taking a look down at his first Pokémon.

"Pikachu you're with me. A run around the ranch, no path, let's just keep running until we, well I can't anymore. He grinned. "Ready? Let's go!"

And then they were off. They ran, seeing a lot of things as they made their way through the fields, through the Pokémon that littered it. He found his herd of Tauros, for once not on a stampede but merely lazing around in the sun. He looked up to see Noctowl, Swellow and Staraptor in the trees...he wondered how Pidgeot was doing these days. He passed by a small pond, where Corphish and Kingler were in an apparent splash fight with Buizel and Glalie. Ash passed by Donphan on the way back, or to put it correctly, Donphan passed him, clearly something was likely to be on the unlucky end of a rollout attack soon. Ash just hoped it wasn't the Tauros.

Ash and Pikachu approached the lab once more, ready to take a brief break and see how his team's trainng was going when suddenly he was interrupted.

"ASH!" He turned to see Tracey running towards him, who didn't give him a chance to ask what was wrong before he spoke again. "Ash, you have a call waiting in the lab! It's from Mr. Goodshow!"

Ash nodded, wondering to himself. "Wonder what he wants?"

Ash quickly swept into the building, knowing it well enough to quickly locate the phone and answer.

"Ah, Ash, glad I caught you. When your Mom said you weren't home I was worried I wouldn't reach you. There's a problem and I need your help."

"Well I'll try. What do you need?"

"Well as you might know, the Indigo League conference is coming to an end. In fact the last round will be tomorrow. And there's a new prize we've been trying to include in league conferences worldwide."

"New prize?"

The president nodded, smiling. "Alder's idea. Anyone who wins a conference gets an exhibition battle with the Pokémon Champion of that Region."

Ash blinked, that didn't make any sense. "Then why aren't you calling Lance?"

"I'm afraid his Pokémon haven't fully recovered from the Grandmaster Championship. They're still going to need a few extra days before they're fully healed."

There wasn't any accusation in Charles' tone, but Ash had to prevent himself from rubbing his head in embarrassment. The fact was; Ash was the one to defeat Lance at the championship. It was that battle that currently still had Lance's team in recovery.

It wasn't Ash's fault.

It wasn't Ash's fault Lance had a Charizard on his team. It wasn't Ash's fault that his Charizard didn't feel like being merciful on the matter. It wasn't Ash's fault ordering Snorlax to use Sleep Talk resulted in Lance's Altaria being on the receiving end of an Ice Punch then a Giga Impact. It wasn't Ash's fault that Lance's Gyarados (he still found the sight of the red Gyarados odd) proved to be such a good 'dance partner' to Ferailagatr, so much in fact the crowd demanded an encore (and Feraligatr never denied the crowd an encore). Ash couldn't help it if Lance's Dragonite hadn't been able to avoid Pikachu's thunder attack, and Ash didn't tell Pikachu to keep it up that long!

It wasn't Ash's fault, seriously!

Still he felt a little guilty..."So you want me to take Lance's place?"

"That's right. After all, you are from Kanto, plus you haven't made an official public appearance since the Championship. The people want to see the new Pokémon Grandmaster, so it's perfect!"

These days, Ash would have normally declined. Public equal crowds, crowds equal people, people equal...well he didn't deal with people anymore. Plus he despised the thought of selling himself to the public as some kind of symbol, he really wasn't that special! However, he liked Mr. Goodshow, and it was with his blessing that Ash even got into the Grandmaster Championship in the first place.

"Alright I'll do it."

"Wonderful! I owe you one, Ash. Alright my boy, keep in mind, it's just an exhibition match. Three-on-three. Remember, your title isn't on the line so don't take it too seriously. Oh and Ash..." His tone changed. "Please leave the arena in decent shape this time. Repairs are still ongoing at the Grandmaster stadium."

Ash couldn't help but give a cheeky grin, Pikachu mimicking it perfectly. "Just wait until you see what I do next year."

A sweat-drop appeared on the side of the aged president's face, this is what happened when he let young upstarts into the bigger leagues and take the title, well every action in life had consequences. "I'm really not sure if you're joking...well goodbye Ash, see you at the league conference. And thanks again."

"See you then, Mr. Goodshow."

Ash put the phone done, somewhere between annoyed and excited. Crowds, bad. Battle against a possibly strong opponent, always good.

Strong ones were always the best opponents.

As he walked out he was glad to see his team was well in progress with training. Scrafty had just attempted to head-butt Charizard, but it'd been blocked by a steel wing, knocking him back. Scrafty almost literally bounced back from the ground, landing on his feet, this time trying a punch, but a tail nearly stopped him. Nearly, Scrafty latched onto it, throwing his body around it, before kicking Chrizard in the jaw and knocking him a couple steps back. Ash nodded, smiling. Scrafty was getting better all the time, but he still had a ways to go.

He couldn't avoid the claw which grabbed him by the leg and slammed him into the ground.

Sceptile and Feraligatr didn't seem to have been able to hit one another yet by the looks of them, but they were really going at it. In a handful of seconds Sceptile had tried half a dozen attacks, with the dancer narrowly (by intent, annoyance was part of his game) avoiding them before attempting a swipe with his tail. Sceptile jumped, moving in for his next attack; a leaf blade across Feraligatr's front. Feraligatr leaned back, avoiding the strike before back flipping away. Both were still for a moment, deciding where to go from there.

Ash decided to stop it before things escalated, the last spar he let reach extreme heights almost got the pair caught in a giant rock slide...not that he'd expected that to stop them. "Team! Gather up! This is important!" This time even Sorlax came running (actually managing to pull himself away from a good meal), and quickly his entire team had gathered around him. "Alright everybody, here's the thing. The Indigo League is about to end, and I have to face the winner in a three-on-three exhibition battle. Now I know you're all on vacation from big battles, and you all deserve it, but this kinda got thrown in my lap. Likely is I could just win the match with one of you, but rules are rules. So, any volunteers?"

"Pika!" Well there wasn't any doubt Pikachu would want in.

Charizard roared and nodded. Again to no surprise.

The remaining four however seemed to be debating among themselves, aside from Snorlax, who was eyeing the meal he had left behind. Well he wouldn't offer unless nobody else was going to. After all, this match wasn't that big a deal, but if need be he'd take the roll of the third. Scrafty was rubbing his chin and thinking, would the opponent's Pokémon be strong? Feraligatr and Sceptile were looking to one another, silently debating-

"Oh not again."

Two appendages found their way into the air, and suddenly two fists were moving up and down in sync. Ash was actually proud that he taught his Pokémon a way of fighting over something without beating the living daylights out of each-other (mostly it was to stop Scrafty head-butting his team members), but it got really annoying when the game would go a dozen rounds or so without a victor. Scrafty normally just resorted back to head-butting whenever this happened.

Round one. Both rock.

Round two. Both paper

Round three. Rock won!

Sceptile smiled to himself, with Feraligatr going into the 'dance of annoyance' (the only important detail is that it was always a good idea to duck when this started. Ash didn't the first couple of times). Those two really were complete opposites. After a moment of watching Sceptile spoke up, saying something to Feraligatr before he, along with Snorlax and Scrafty took a step back.

Feraligatr was the third. Ash nodded and smiled. "Thanks you guys. I'll come pick you both up in the morning. Take the rest of the day off if you want." The entire team nodded, glad they'd been set free from training. They'd do six months of training in isolation again if Ash had asked them to, but it was supposed to be their vacation.

They all knew something was wrong with Ash, and they all worried for him.

Ash quickly made his way home, eager to tell his Mom about this new development. It'd been so long since she was at a stadium watching him battle, and this would be his first official battle as Grandmaster.

He wanted her to see this battle in person.

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Misty muttered in extreme annoyance as she settled down in her hotel room. The most annoying part of being a gym leader: Official Pokémon League functions. She had to attend the end of the Indigo League conference. Afterwards there would be some pain in the ass meeting about some new regulations in the Kanto Pokémon league, or to be specific some new regulations in how gyms were run. She had a feeling it was because of her. She couldn't help it if challengers couldn't keep up with her! Though to be fair, only one had seized a Gym Badge from her gym in a few months now, and that one she'd given out of admiration, she hadn't seen a trainer that concerned for the safety of his Pokémon since Ash.

She hadn't seen anyone that stupid since Ash either. Really, who brings a Charmander to a Water-type gym anyway?

So here she was, in a hotel room for a few days (on the League's dollar so that was nice), and tomorrow she'd be forced to attend some official battles, but only one battle had her attention. The final match of the day, the winner of the conference against Ash. She'd just gotten word yesterday the Grandmaster would be battling (her and the rest of the world, and they'd be watching), and as much as she despised to admit it she was looking forward to it.

She had watched the Grandmaster Championship. Even after...everything, she still watched the entire Championship. She watched Ash advance round after round, defeat foe after foe. Watching those battles, Misty had honestly had trouble recognizing him as the boy she'd travelled with. She knew he had potential from early on, and she had no doubt that one day he would have eventually reached his dream, but never would she have expected him to get that good so soon. He'd risen to the top, and in the place of that boy she travelled with was the best trainer in the world.

His battles were always a sight to behold, even if he had a tendency to wreck the arena he was fighting in during the process of a battle against a strong opponent. Ash's greatest battles at the Championship had truly been in a league of their own, and if she knew Ash (maybe she did these days...), he was only going to get better, and next year was going to overshadow his recent battles completely.

Yes...as much she hated to admit it. His abandoning everyone. His Mom, his friends, even...her, had proven to be a deciding factor in what he'd accomplished. He'd reached his dream without them, without her. She'd always wanted to be there when he'd finally won it all...

But now it seemed she'd just been holding him back.

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Brock removed some medical glows as he left the medical ward of the Pokémon Center smiling. Two trainers had come in an hour ago, their Pokémon having fought each other, but in circumstances that were kinda hazy to the aspiring doctor both had ended up with considerable injuries, each requiring surgery. Brock was grateful, it was one of those "looks worse than it is" operations, and both would make a full recovery within a week. He had just informed the trainers as such, and was about to take a break when-

"Brock!"

He nearly jumped, before quickly spotting "May! Dawn!" Both girls were sitting at a table, waving him over. "Well this is a great surprise. It's been too long."

They smiled, before May spoke up. "Well after the contest we figured why not come see you?"

He doubted it was her intention, but he suddenly felt he should apologize. "Sorry about not coming to see your contest, girls, but I was working. I did catch your battle on TV, though. Great battle you two." Brock decided against congratulating May on her victory, wanting to spare Dawn a blow to her pride.

Both smiled before Dawn spoke. "Thanks, Brock, we understand. Though we'd have preferred you to show up over the jerk."

The meaning was not lost upon Brock. "What's this about Ash now?"

Dawn continued. "He came to the contest, we think anyway. He was definitely in Celadon afterwards. He was coming up to us by the looks of it but when we saw him he ran for it. That jerk! He didn't even say hello!"

Even for Ash, this surprised Brock. That made two close encounters with former friends he'd ran from. He would have never, ever taken Ash for a coward. Could there have been another reason?

May had two cents to add. "Though he might have been running from the crowds. You saw them swarm in when they noticed him. I wonder what Misty thought?"

Well there was a possible reason. "Wait, Misty was with you?"

Both nodded, not really thinking anything of the question, May's mind in particular was currently elsewhere. "He still could have said something to us..."

Brock's mind worked quickly, drawing a conclusion before he even finished taking his next breath. Ash had gone to Celadon, possibly in an attempt to talk to May and Dawn, but when he'd saw Misty he'd ran for it. He was likely missing some details, and maybe his conclusion was a little off the mark, but the basic fact was still there. One of Ash's friends (Misty seemed to be the logical conclusion) had caused him to run the second he saw them. "Shame." So he hoped anyway. If not then, well Brock decided not to think about it, and pursue a better topic, a lighter, more pleasant topic.

Too bad television doesn't really care about what's pleasant or not, as it picked that precise moment to make an announcement known.

Of course, the Indigo League conference, that was today. Forrest had wined about having to be drug off to some 'League Pokécrap' (met with a berating about "language!" from Lola). Flint had gone with him, leaving the house without its father and resident gym leader for a few days (though all Kanto gyms were closed for this time anyway). Misty would definitely be there. News had already been broadcast of exactly who would be facing the conference winner in an exhibition match.

He wondered if something would finally happen between them. "If they make up...will she break a couple bones or kiss him, I wonder?"

His guesses were not mutually exclusive. Almost a shame he wasn't a people doctor, it'd be an interesting sight to see. He had to stop himself from chuckling at the morbidly funny image of Ash on a hospital bed, being rushed to an emergency room while Misty was kissing him anywhere she could reach while his leg was bent at a wrong angle, Misty with her mallet still in hand.

He took a glance behind him, both May and Dawn were paying attention to the TV, though trying to hide just how much attention they were paying. He guessed that like himself (and just about everyone Ash had left behind), they had watched the Grandmaster Championship. Ash had clearly come far from the little boy who'd set his Pikachu against his Onix. His battles truly were something for the ages now, and Brock had a feeling Ash was going to go down in history as the greatest Grandmaster who ever lived (well he was already holding "youngest"). Brock would almost be tempted to have a battle against him now, just for grins. But since he was a Pokémon Doctor (okay, in training), he could not in good conscience pit his Pokémon against any of Ash's. He'd seen some of the injuries Ash's Pokémon left on their opponents, and his job was to heal such injuries, not help cause them.

Both May and Dawn's eyes reacted slightly when the name 'Ash Ketchum' was said, and he became sure. If Misty and himself forgave Ash, they would. It just all depended on Ash.

Though he was not yet fully convinced of Ash's regret.

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The Indigo League conference was over, the winner had been crowned and there would be a brief intermission.

After that, it was match time.

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Ash walked through a corridor to the arena slowly, the pathway slowly becoming brighter as the light of day outside grew stronger. He suddenly stopped, still somewhere between the light and the dark as he looked up, taking a breath before he spoke.

"I may not be good with people anymore. I may not be any good at keeping friends. Hell, I even suck as a son." He looked at his oldest friend. "But this, this I won't get wrong. I'll always find my way in battle. We'll always find our way!"

Pikachu nodded, and his cheeks suddenly crackled with power, once upon a time it would have merely been a brief spark but the years of training had vastly increased his power, now his mere display of excitement lit the hallway as his sparks spread out like a rapidly appearing/disappearing web, spreading in all directions from himself and Ash. Ash continued walking, unaffected by the impressive show of power. "Let's have a good fight, Pikachu!"

"Pika!" Yeah!

The sparking stopped, and Ash was left with the thoughts that spiralled in his head. As much as he hated to admit it, it was true.

He'd failed his Mom.

He'd failed his friends.

He'd failed even himself.

But...he'd never fail at battling.

Never.

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Delia felt very out-of-place.

Here she was, in specially reserved seating. Around here were people she never thought she'd find herself in the presence of. Around her various Pokémon League officials, (Mr. Goodshow among them, the only official who didn't look the part, would he ever wear a suit?) as well as the current Elite Four. On her right side sat Lance himself, who didn't seem even the slightest bit put out by the fact Ash had not only defeated him, but was taking his place during the battle today.

"Umm. Why exactly am I sitting up here, again?"

Lance glanced at her, before smiling. "You're the Grandmaster's Mother. He'd give us all hell if we gave you anything but the best seats."

"Still. I feel kinda...weird sitting here."

He shrugged. "You should get used to it. I have a feeling Ash won't want to battle in a stadium from now on unless you're there. And he won't let you have anything but the best."

All further conversation was silenced by a sudden announcement.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, presenting the Pokémon Grandmaster, Ash Ketchum!"

Delia almost gasped as Ash came out onto the field. Every step he made was made with confidence, strength, and with such discipline it would easy to forget the hyperactive little boy he once was. That small smile he had, the way Pikachu stood upon his shoulder, the way he gazed only where he was going and his eyes, they were so focused. The way the crowds cheering didn't distract him! He didn't even glance at them! A younger Ash wouldn't have had such focus. Ash had left his home long ago a headstrong little boy with more passion than actual skill in the world of Pokémon. He'd returned the greatest of them all. Now she could truly see what her little boy had become, he'd reached his dream.

Her baby really had grown up.

"I'm so proud of you, Ash."

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"Ladies and Gentlemen, presenting the Pokémon Grandmaster, Ash Ketchum!"

Misty watched as Ash came out, paying more attention than she likely should have as he made his way out into the arena. She was surprised, actually.

The first time Ash had walked in a league stadium he'd been so nervous, but now...now he was like an entirely different person. With his small smile, Pikachu on his shoulder and a confident stride she could actually fully grasp the concept, Ash was Grandmaster. He was the best. He'd worked years for it and now he'd returned to the place of his first league challenge, not as a competitor, but as the best, and not merely of that league.

He was the greatest in the world. The crowds roared to him, thousands of them screaming out his name, the name of the new Pokémon Grandmaster. The boy wonder who'd entered the Grandmaster Championship and seized the ultimate title. The young man who'd taken on the strongest trainers in the entire world, the strongest Masters in the world and defeated them outright. League Conference winner, Elite Four member, Regional Champion, no matter who'd dared to challenge him, he'd beaten them down, before setting his sights on his next foe, who'd quickly join the previous. With a sad smile she wondered, would that little ten year old Ash ever have seen this coming? With a slight laugh she knew the answer was 'yes'. He was nothing if not a dreamer.

And his dreams had now become reality.

"He's grown so much. Changed so much...is he even the same Ash anymore?"

"Now the moment you've all be waiting for! Grandmaster Ash Ketchum well battle the winner of the Indigo League Conference in a three on three Pokémon Battle!"

At that announcement both Ash and Pikachu grinned.

She saw Ash's grin, and yes, the mouth was the same, the familiar movements of his face muscles formed that grin perfectly, but his eyes.

Those were not his eyes. Yes, she could see the determination, his love of battling, which only seemed to have grown, but not in a way she liked. Before it was a fire, waiting to be set free and shine but now it was more...feral, a fire that wanted to burn. She could forgive, could excuse Ash wanting a good battle more now. Somehow Ash loving battle even more...seemed him, though she did not like how wild that part of his eyes were now. Parts of his eyes were darker, emptier than she remembered, and she remembered perfectly how his eyes used to look. The sweet naivety Ash always had in his eyes was almost no more, okay so he'd grown up a bit, no big deal but something else had gone with it too. Something important.

It was her single-most favourite thing about his eyes. It was subtler than the fire, wrapped under Ash's love of a good battle, it wasn't his kindness, but it always went well with it, and she could always see it. She knew his Pokémon could see it, and perhaps everyone else could too. Maybe it was the thing that once upon a time drew so many people to him, made just about everyone like him (and to her immense chagrin, made girls like him more than she would have permitted), it made him unique, she had kept careful eye out for it in others after she'd left Ash, wondering if anyone else had anything else like it, but no one did. No one had that in their eyes. She didn't know how to explain it, it was like some kind of spark that had always shone in his eyes, and only now did she truly realize.

That spark...was gone. Was he the Ash she knew anymore?

She wasn't sure.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"And now Ladies and Gentlemen! I give you the winner of the Indigo League Conference! Harrison of Littleroot Town!"

Both Ash and Pikachu's eyebrows shot up at that one, talk about a flashback. Ash did wonder briefly if he'd misheard but no, there he was. It'd been a long time, and the years were traceable if you looked closely, but there was no doubt. The one who'd defeated Ash at the Silver Conference years ago was here now. Ash probed his memory, thinking he remembered hearing something about Harrison trying the indigo league conference before and getting runner up. Clearly he'd come back to correct that, and succeeded.

"Hey, Ash."

"Hey, Harrison. Long time no see. Congratulations on winning the conference. Planning on going after the Elite Four next?"

"Yeah. I've been in training for a year or so and I think I can take them. After all..." He grinned. "I did beat you once."

Ash gave a brief laugh. "Yeah, you did. But let's remember which one of us is Grandmaster now." He gave a sly grin. "Come try me now if you got the guts!"

"You got it!" He reached for a Pokéball. "Go Blaziken!"

The crowds broke out into cheers as Harrison's main powerhouse appeared. Most of them had been witness to Harrison's battles (A share were here just for Ash), and it was common knowledge that Blaziken was the powerhouse of the team.

It could be a trip down memory lane for Ash, but memories were just painful reminders to him these days. He laughed. "It's a rematch, then." He reached for his first Pokémon. "Charizard, it's time for battle!" Charizard's Pokéball found release, and so did the creature inside. He emerged with a roar and a display of power, shooting a stream of fire at the sky. When he'd finally stopped Ash pointed to Charizard's opponent. "That guy look familiar to you?" His response was a vicious growl, yes. "Good. Time to get even and then some! You ready?" Charizard's tail burned brighter as he growled out the closest thing he could to 'yes'. "Alright!" He turned to his opponent. "Come at us, Harrison! Let's see what you got! Don't disappoint me now, I want this to be fun!"

"You got it! Blaziken, sweep in quick with a couple of fire punches!" Blaziken briefly vanished with the sheer speed of his legs, but it wasn't enough to hide from the eyes of Charizard, or Ash for that matter. Blaziken appeared mere feet from Charizard, both his hands ignited, ready to deliver two heavy blows.

Ash wouldn't be having that. "Grab his fists, Charizard." The two burning fists slammed into Charizards claws, setting fire to Charizard's claws but he didn't even flinch. Ash's powerhouse grasped tightly on the fists he'd captured. Blaziken's fists were going nowhere. "Don't underestimate me, Harrison. I'm the Grandmaster for a reason."

"Flamethrower, Blaziken!"

Blaziken opened his beak, and a river of fire enveloped Charizard's face, and the torrent raged on for a full twenty seconds before he stopped for breath.

There was a resounding gasp as everyone saw just how effective the attack ultimately was.

It wasn't. Charizard had some blackened spots where the fire had passed over his skin, but it was nothing a cleaning wouldn't remove. Charizard grunted, but not from pain, not even from the effects of the flame. Ash sensed it too. "That attack..."

"Wow! Charizard took a direct flamethrower from Blaziken and he's not even fazed! What kind of training has that Charizard gone through?"

Training severe enough to render even Blaziken's Flamethrower little more than an annoyance. Patience on the other hand was something he was never going to learn. He wanted an order, one little attack order and this could all be over..."Blaze Kick!"

"Ziken!" Blaziken's right foot shot up in an instant, slamming a burning blow right into his victims jaw, Charizard took a step back, but other than that all Blaziken got for his effort was a very annoyed growl.

Ash was suddenly clenching and unclenching his hands, his breathing hastened, something was wrong, very wrong, and he didn't know how to describe it. All he knew was..."He should be stronger..." He tried shaking his head, "What's wrong with me?" He didn't know how to describe it, his body was screaming out at him, for something, it needed something, but what? His hands were starting to twitch. He raised them, lightly slapping his palms onto his face but it didn't help. Something was wrong, and he couldn't keep still or calm.

"Pikapi, pika chu?" Ash, what's wrong?

"I don't-" He shook his head harder, trying to shake off whatever was bothering him, but nothing. "Damn!"

"Headbutt!" Another vicious attack, another failed result, Charizard was getting really annoyed, would Ash just give him a damn order already! "Again!" He was getting really angry now..."Again!" Charizard was suppressing the urge to just blast his enemy anyway, but this was not the championship, his opponent wasn't a Charizard, and wasn't powerful enough to concern him. Though...(another headbutt, Charizard was pushed another step back) Blaziken had beaten him before...Charizard just kept on growling.

Harrison was starting to lose his cool, this battle was too different from their last for his liking. "Blaziken, throw a barrage of Blaze Kicks at Charizard's stomach! Don't stop until he lets go!" Blaziken placed both his feet on Charizard's stomach, before rapidly kicking against it a vicious series of burning kicks. Charizard tightened his grip on Blaziken's fists, not letting go, even as the burning blows pounded into him.

Up in the stands everyone watched with astounded eyes as Charizard took the punishing blows with more annoyance than actual damage. "What kind of Pokémon can take this punishment?!" Harrison's Blaziken had gained quite a reputation in the Indigo league, not unlike the reputation Charizard had earned at the Grandmaster Championship. They simply were definitions of raw power, so seeing one so easily restrain and shake off the attacks of the other made Charizard intimidating to say the absolute least. Especially to those who had seen their last battle.

Still Ash gave no order, instead looking down at his shaking hands. "What's wrong with me?"

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Ash!" Misty had to force herself not to stand up. Nothing else mattered, the past, the pain, everything. Nothing of that meant a thing anymore. She could not sit idly by and just watch this without a care! Her mind could only process one fact, and it filled her heart with worry.

Ash was distressed.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Delia had watched the stages closely, first she wondered if it was just some minor thing (maybe the crowd was annoying him?), but now she knew... "Ash...what's wrong?"

Lance looked at Ash closely, carefully taking in what was in front of him. He nodded to himself, realizing. "He can't adapt himself."

"Huh?"

Lance's expression turned pensive, lightly running a thumb across his chin for a moment before speaking. "It's a common thing in the world of Pokémon training, that passionate trainers gain a certain...lust for battling. It's really common among stronger trainers, and the stronger they are, the worse it can get." He leaned back in his seat, his face reflective. "To put it simply, they gain a lust for great battles. The Pokémon normally gain it as well, though fighting is often in their nature so it's not a problem for them at all, but for the trainer it is. They get used to fighting at whatever level they are at that point, so only someone of comparable or greater strength can really satisfy them. They need to fight someone who can push them to their limits, so to fight someone weaker..."

He gave a small smile. "Now there's a problem. It's really, really frustrating fighting someone weaker than yourself when you get used to fighting all out. I remember when I went through it the first time, oh yes it can happen more than once." He said, answering Delia's unspoken question. "First is realizing that there was even a problem, after I first joined the Elite Four and faced my first challenger. It's when I came to terms with the fact of the matter. It happens a few times after that, as I rose through the ranks, until I became champion. I've gotten past it. Ash, on the other hand..." He looked down to the current Grandmaster. He took another few seconds of silence, considering his words carefully.

"Now there are only six individuals that I can name in the entire world that can truly challenge him. Ash's journey was filled with those who were at least equal to him, and a number stronger than him, and he never stopped, never took time to stop and get used his already high level of strength before moving on to stronger opponents. Now he's the strongest, with no one greater than him, and not even someone to equal him. For him, this will be hard. The addiction to heightened combat really strong trainers develop is bad enough, but since Ash has never gone through it in stages, like most do, it's going to be even harder. It takes a lot get over...the addiction."

Delia took a moment to consider Lance's words, the concept sounded so strange. How could one get an addiction to what was essentially violence? But then she remembered, she remembered the way Ash's eyes would look when he described a "really awesome" battle. The excitement in his voice, the detail in his words, the...wistfulness in his tone. She didn't think much of it then, but now it made sense. Ash really loved a good battle.

And that worried her. "How did you get over it?"

"Friends and family mostly." (He didn't notice Delia's slight wince) "I had to indulge in hobbies for a while and helping with the running of the Elite Four and other Pokémon League matters kept me busy. Eventually it took the edge off, and finding a strong opponent didn't matter anymore. It got easier every time, even when I became champion, actually that time wasn't so bad. These days I can fight weaker opponents without a problem, though I still love the absolute thrill of a really strong opponent." He sighed. "Ash really was something." He smiled. "I got over it. Now it's Ash's turn. He just needs to let it all go, and start really living a little. Once he branches out, and relaxes a little, finds something else to enjoy he'll be alright. Let's just hope he doesn't do anything drastic in the meantime."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

A growl snapped Ash out of his trance, "Charizard!" He was letting Charizard take a beating! "Shit!" He was ending this right now! He thrust out a hand. "Blast Burn!"

Oh thank Arceus, FINALLY! Charizard opened his mouth with a vengeful roar, and a small sun burst forth. Blaziken had far less than a second before his face was full of fire, and quickly the explosion covered both Blaziken and Charizard, as well as a sizeable portion of the arena in a most unholy fire.

When the firestorm finally cleared Charizard was revealed to be standing, unaffected by the inferno he had unleashed upon his foe. He was looking down at something, but whatever it was, was hidden in smoke. When it finally parted an unconscious Blaziken was all that remained, one that clearly wouldn't be fighting for a while, likely considerably longer than the last time the two had battled. Charizard couldn't help but chuckle, revenge was sweet, especially when mixed with some wanton destruction. He would know, he'd have some experience in the matter.

It'd been one hell of a day when Charizard decided to get even with every other Charizard that had ever beaten him at the valley (which was in fact, every Charizard). Liza would have never thought the gates of the valley could be melted. Interestingly, Charla was the only Charizard who wasn't out of commission for days after that. She wasn't sure if she should have been insulted or flattered.

"Incredible! He defeated Blaziken in a single attack!"

Most trainers would be grinning at their victory, or congratulating their Pokémon on such a flawless performance, and normally Ash would, but this was anything but a normal day.

Though he'd done very little Ash's breathing had become laboured. His mouth was sucking in air rapidly, his body moving in a steady rhythm as he stood there "What's wrong with me?! Why can't I..." His fists clenched, he was angry, frustrated and absolutely restless. "Why am I feeling like this?"

Another sudden growling pierced his thoughts. "Charizard?" Another growl was his reply, and Charizard was giving him a questioning look. "I'm sorry for not stopping that. It's just...I don't know what it is." He shook his head. "Are you okay?" Charizard nodded, breathing out a small puff of flame, no surprises there. Ash was far too used to Charizard not even being fazed after a battle. "I'm glad. Alright, you've done your part. Time to take a break." The look he got in return for that could be translated as "What?!". You didn't withdraw Charizard unless he couldn't fight anymore! "This is just a sparring match, Charizard, you proved your strength back at the Championship. Others gotta have fun too." Charizard nodded, settling. As much fun as revenge was, beating on weaker opponents wasn't in the nature of Charizard's species. "Thanks, Charizard. Return."

Just as Charizard became a mass of red light, he could see Harrison had just done the same to his Blaziken, and Ash found himself not really able to feel sorry for his opponent's fallen Pokémon. "You should have been stronger." He caught his thought, his anger boiling up, just what the hell was wrong with him!? Why was he so frustrated? He took a moment to compose himself, creating a passable 'regular Ash'. "Alright Harrison, bring out your next Pokémon." He reached for Feraligatr's Lure Ball. "I'm ready when you are."

Harrison had already long since decided which Pokémon he would use. "Houndoom!"

The crowd cheered as Harrison's partner appeared, another battle was about to be start, and after the last they crowd was eager for more.

Ash threw his second fighter. "Feraligatr!"

The crowds once again were in an uproar, and not just because Ash had revealed another member of his team, but of which member he'd revealed. Feraligatr was already giving a little dace, he was quite the fan favourite (second only to Pikachu in that regard). It was a few seconds before Feraligatr stopped dancing, slamming his feet into the ground as he did. It was time for battle, he'd have all the opportunity he wanted to dance in a moment.

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

Misty repressed a giggle as memories of the Totadile the dancer used to be flooded her mind. Better times, back when everything was almost perfect, and few things could go wrong. Travelling with Ash, no experience could ever match it, and Brock had been a nice bonus too. To her, Feraligatr could symbolize change perfectly. When he'd come into the fold as a Totadile, both he, as well as Ash and Misty had been young, full of ideals and dreams, things had been fun. Now he'd grown evolved, grown up, just like she had to, and as Ash had too. Gone was the little child who'd just wanted to have fun, wandering the land without a care in a world. Now all three of them had responsibility, burden, and with the exception of Feraligatr; regret. It was now Misty truly grasped something, even more so when she took one more glance at Ash.

So much time had passed.

So much had changed.

Now she was a Gym leader, Ash was Grandmaster, and Feraligatr was a member of the greatest team of Pokémon in the world. Misty would have liked to think a little of her influence as a Water Type trainer was somewhere in Feraligatr's training, so perhaps she and Ash would still have something tying them together, something which connected them, bound them, but she doubted it.

She gave a sigh...she wished she'd won the fight to claim that particular Water Pokémom. His dances were so amazing to watch, especially when being used to beat something unconscious. In better times she'd ask for lessons.

His style would go great with her mallet, and she'd have an ideal partner to 'dance' with in mind.

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

Harrison took a moment to himself this time. Attacking directly had gotten Blaziken a week out of commission from the looks of it (maybe longer), another foolish attack could likely put Houndoom down for even longer than that, he was at a type disadvantage now. He took a moment, a moment to seriously consider his next move.

A moment too long for Ash's current level of patience. "Swords Dance!"

That was the only command Ash would need to give for the moment, because when Feraligatr used it, Swords Dance was more than just a way to boost attack power, it was an actual attack. The dancer quickly got to work, his claws and tails starting to form a blue glow as he gracefully and quickly moved across the arena towards his foe.

"Get out of the way, Houndoom!" The canine Pokémon jumped away just in time to avoid a heavy tail, but quickly had to dodge the same tail again, Feraligatr had jumping as part of his dance routine! The second jump seemed to have done the trick, as the dancing Pokémon was content to dance in place, his glowing blue claws and tail flailing with the intricate movements in his dance of battle. "Flamethrower!" Not the wisest move choice, but Harrison was not letting his best friend get close to the dancer if he could help it.

Feraligatr's eyes were closed, but he gracefully sidestepped the attack, before jumping again within range of Houndoom as he twirled again, this time the tail hitting its target dead on. Houndoom was sent sailing, landing not very far from his trainer, clearly hurt by the force of the blow, but he wouldn't be backing down yet. He growled, and Harrison suddenly got an idea...risky, but if it worked..."Get up close and try Crunch!"

A bark met his order, and Houndoom ran towards the still dancing Pokémon, whose claws and tail now radiated a far stronger light, one attack from this Pokémon would end most matches instantly.

One attack would, Ash had ran out of patience. "This isn't going anywhere." "Iron Tail!" Feraligatr grinned, sending a steel-coated tail at his opponent in a spin.

Just what Harrison wanted. "Counter!" The Iron Tail slammed into the orange glow that covered his body, and before even that happened it was obvious what was going to happen.

It would take far more than that to outwit the Grandmaster. "Use the momentum and spin the attack right back!" The tail bounced off, but Feraligatr slammed a clawed foot into the ground, and like a ballerina spun on the spot, sending the tail on yet another crash course with the canine, which was rebounded, which spun around again, which was rebounded, which found its way back, which was rebounded, which found it's way back...faster and faster...

Until it landed for the last time. Houndoom could no longer sustain a barrier to block that level of power and was launched off the ground, unceremoniously landing in a heap before Harrison.

Unconscious. "Not strong enough!" Now Ash knew what was bothering him. "He's nowhere near strong enough!" But why was it bothering him so much? He rubbed sweat from his forehead. Why was he feeling like this? He turned back to the arena and tried not to think about it.

Feraligatr was still spinning, both his arms in the air as he gradually slowed down. When he finally came to a stop he came crashing to a knee and striking a pose that was clearly meant to mean "ta da!"...well Feraligatr was nothing if not eager to entertain.

The crowd sure loved him. They were roaring, two crushing victories in a row by the Grandmaster without even notable effort on his part. In fact, to most of them he looked bored out of his mind. A select few could tell otherwise, how he bit his lip, clenched and unclenched his hands in rapid succession. The way his breathing was heavier than normal.

He raised a Pokéball. "Alright, Feraligatr, take a bow." And he did, multiple in fact. Feraligatr made it a point to face every corner of the arena, and give a deep bow to the audience on each side. The crowds only cheered louder and louder, which only made the entertainer bow deeper. Ash half-expected someone to start throwing roses. With a red beam of light he returned his Water Pokémon, deep in thought. "Maybe I'm going at this the wrong way. Using powerful attacks won't make the battle last..." He glanced at Pikachu for a second. "Maybe if I pace myself a bit..." He nodded to himself, well stranger ideas have worked. He took second to think, deciding to try and do something nice. "Nice try with that Counter, if Feraligatr wasn't such a natural-born dancer you'd have gotten a good hit in. You've improved. The Elite Four better have their guard up. Alright, Harrison. Call out your last Pokémon!"

By now Harrison was a bit shaken. He knew from previous experience that Charizard was strong, so having him demolish Blaziken so easily had not been a big a shock to his system as it would have been otherwise, but this was worse. Feraligatr hadn't even been scratched, and even his clever strategy had only been turned against him. He swallowed a lump in his throat, coming to a conclusion he'd never had come to when he fought Ash all those years ago.

Ash was...intimidating. The Ash before him now had something, something different about him. Standing before him, it was like Ash emitted some kind of pressure, like all of his strength leaked from his very being, his posture, his gaze, those eyes. Now they were almost scary. The fire that shone in them, the fire that longed to burn in a fight. Harrison had to avert his gaze, or he might have quivered in fear at that wild flame. Ash was different now. He still had that impulsive battle style, but now it was blended with a keen mind and an efficient one if his reaction to Counter was any indication, and he wanted to battle even more than he did back then. Harrison was out of his league here. He'd knew that before he'd started this battle.

He just didn't expect it to be this one-sided. He was going to have to go into some serious training before he took on the Elite Four, but he wasn't going to just give up. "Go Weavile!"

The crowds were once again in a fit, they all knew what was coming now. Ash looked closely at his latest target, recognising it for what it used to be. Ash's memory briefly flashed back to his first meeting with the previous form of the Weavile before him, but it was quickly quelled. That was a long time ago. A better time ago. "Pikachu, you're up. Maybe if I don't use pure power the fight'll..." He looked to his friend. "Just get out there."

"Pikapi?" Ash?

"Please, Pikachu. Just get out there. And..." He gritted his teeth, turning away. "I don't know...just fight. Make it last, make it good." He shook his head again. "Just go."

"...Kachu." ...Alright. He lightly patted Ash's head before he went. He didn't get what was wrong with Ash, but he wasn't mad at him for his Ash's behaviour. Ash wouldn't act like this without reason, and if he started being mean Pikachu could just shock him.

Pikachu walked forward with a happy set of steps. He didn't have a care in the world about the battle. The crowds, roaring louder than ever before didn't distract him in the least. He didn't even react when Harrison barked an order.

"Fury Cutter!" Weavile ran forward, pulling back one claw for the first of what would be many strikes. Even if Ash didn't give the order Pikachu wasn't gonna take this sitting down. One thing that Ash had made sure his Pokémon understood over the years was that even if he didn't give the order to get out of the way (or something else which was obviously a good idea) they should do it anyway. This was not one of those times however.

"Evade every slash!"

Pikachu would follow that command to the letter. Weavile slashed hard and fast but Pikachu merely grinned, moving like a blur just outside the claws' reach. Weavile tried again, sidestepped. Again, ducked. Again and again and again Weavile tried to hit his target, each attack coming faster and faster but Pikachu just kept smiling and dodging, never faltering, never getting the claw even graze him. Soon it became like some kind of movie special effect, Weavile's claws were in who knows how many places at once but wherever they were, there was a Pikachu just out of their range. One had to keep their eyes open constantly or they'd miss this strange mess of moving images, one that kept getting faster and faster.

Still Pikachu kept grinning.

"Wow! Pikachu's dodging every attack and making it look easy!"

Little did most know, that to Pikachu it really was easy to dodge the attacks. The training phase that Ash's team had gone through had been extreme, resulting more than once in needing an emergency visit to a Pokémon Center for a team member. Every member had had their natural abilities pushed to their current limit, and while Pikachu would admit he wasn't the leader in raw power, he'd brag about his speed when given opportunity, and boy did he have the rights. Even Pokémon known for their speed had for the most part unable to even keep up with him at the championship, never mind landing a hit. He'd outran Pokémon like Arcanine and Rapidash with a cheeky grin. Even the likes of Ninjask, a Pokémon who only got faster as it fought had to go all out to keep up with Pikachu, but even it had found itself outpaced.

Pikachu also had one major bragging right that no one else on Ash's team did.

At the championship, he wasn't defeated even a single time. He'd enter a match and he'd be the one standing at the end of it, because he would be the one to end it. Ash normally liked to keep him for later in a match, but on the occasions that Ash sent him out to fight first Pikachu swept through the opponent's entire team. Pikachu was Ash's ace, and always would be, even Charizard knew better than to try challenging him on that fact. While the dragon-like Pokémon could take on one full powered attack from Pikachu and get back up, half a dozen or so was a vaguer story.

The swiping kept coming, stronger and faster with every attempt but to no avail. Pikachu was not going to be hit if he didn't want to be, and he didn't want to be.

"Somebody get the scientists in, because it's a wonder how a Pikachu could be THAT fast!"

Ash smirked, repressing a laugh. Clearly this guy hadn't watched the Grandmaster Championship. He thought that was fast? Ash never could resist an opportunity to show off. "Pikachu! Show off your real speed!"

Pikachu, still moving suddenly had very wide and happy eyes. The look was not too different from the one he had when offered Ketchup. "Chupi?!" Really?!

Ash grinned. "Flash Step!"

"CHA!" YES! Pikachu's cheeks suddenly started to glow, in an instant they had turned from red to yellow, loaded with power. Now he just needed to wait...

Weavile once again slashed, the fastest and strongest thrust making its course right for Pikachu. It was close, a foot, half a foot, a few inches, an inch, half an inch...

Weavile could have felt the fur on Pikachu's face...

...but there was nothing there.

There had only been a very brief flash of yellow, and Pikachu was gone. No traces, no sound, nothing. One instant there he was, glowing cheeks then the next there was a flash of light where Pikachu had been and he was just gone.

Only Ash knew where he was, and he couldn't help but smirk. Pikachu did like to play games...

Weavile and Harrison were desperately trying to find out where Pikachu had gone too, worrying about a sudden sneak attack but none came. Pikachu had just opted to disappear, but where? He waited for ten seconds, twenty, thirty, but nothing. Wherever Pikachu had gone too was not something the mouse felt like giving away.

"RIGHT THERE!"

"WOW HE'S FAST!"

"AMAZING!"

Harrison blinked, as did Weavile, the crowd found Pikachu! But where was he?! The crowd grew louder and louder as they found what he was still looking for! He looked around franticly, and his eyes briefly found Ash, whose eyes briefly signalled downwards. Harrison looked down at his feet.

Pikachu waved up at him. "Pi." Hi.

A shocked Weavile turned around, spotting his target before growling. He jumped, pulling back a claw for another attack, this would be even faster and stronger than the last, no-one made a fool of him! He got within range, above Pikachu, swiping the claw with immense rage.

"Chu!" Bye!

The claw found only air.

Pikachu had moved to Ash's side of the arena.

Harrison had the brief luxury to try and analyse the Flash Step in detail, but there was nothing to examine! Pikachu lit up his cheeks, then there were two small flashes. One where he vanished, one where he reappeared, each almost an instant from each other. That's all there was to see! How was he supposed to hit something that could move like that?

Ash smiled to himself as he looked at Harrison, he knew that look. He knew it all too well. He wasn't the first to show it, and he wouldn't be the last. That was the look that only a few managed to not find themselves wearing. It was the moment they realized hitting Pikachu was just not going to happen.

It was when they realized that defeat was inevitable.

Now Ash would admit that he wasn't the smartest person on planet earth, not by a long shot. He was (though he'd never admit it) rather dense when it came to a lot of things (a compiled list would be a very long document). However, Ash was smarter than people gave him credit for, at least he was at times. Most of the time his mind was one track, but there were those moments, rare, elusive, but when they came about something amazing happened.

Ash became a genius. If there was one thing he did know, and was a true artist in, it was creating original moves, and Flash Step was his single grandest masterpiece. It would see many attempts at imitation over the years, but no-one would even come close to mimicking it perfectly (or even decently). It'd started with an observation, of how Pikachu's speed greatly increased while performing a Volt Tackle, and so he got wondering, wondering about the possibilities of electricity-enhanced movement. It'd been many long hours of talking with Pikachu about it before the idea just clicked in their minds. It had taken almost an entire year of development, but neither he nor Pikachu would give up on it. They both knew that they had something special on their hands. So they kept working, and working at it until finally it just happened. The Flash Step had been born. Even after development there was a refining period, one that took a share of the training prior to the Grandmaster Championship.

It had taken two whole months for Pikachu to master proper use of his own move (how he'd manage to evade a concussion in the process neither had any idea, many cave walls on the other hand still bore Pikachu-shaped holes, and Ash was certain there was a Pikachu-shaped dent in his ribcage now). After training was done however, it was clear; if not just 'one of', then Pikachu was perhaps the fastest Pokémon alive. Until the Championship, Flash Step was kept secret from the world, and even through most of that, but against Hoenn's current Regional Champion, Steven Stone (the first Regional Champion he fought at the championship), Ash felt it was time to stop hiding. The secret had come out to the world.

The battle was ended as swiftly as Pikachu's movements, and from then on trying to hit Pikachu was the goal of every trainer who had taken him on. Only a few had managed it, but no-one could land a decisive blow on the Electric Mouse Pokémon. Not even they found a way to stop the Flash Step.

Only Ash and Pikachu knew that secret, and they were going to make damn sure it stayed that way.

Pikachu was grinning, oh how he loved that look! Now there was only one thing that could make this better. "Pikapi! Ka pi pikachu pi chu?" Ash! Can I have a little fun?

Ash blinked. "Fun? What do you have in-" He looked to Pikachu's tail, it was wagging quickly. "That might help...mess around during the battle..." He smiled. "Go for it. Iron Tail Volleyball!"

"CHA!" He vanished again, and there wasn't even a second before Weavile found an Iron Tail colliding with his chin. "Chuu!" Serve!

Weavile was knocked off his feet, and was sent coursing through the air like a Pokédoll, but what goes up must come down, and Weavile soon found itself facing rapidly raising ground. Until a flash appeared again for a brief instant. "Cha!" Pass!

Another blow, another trip through the air, another patch of rapidly approaching ground. Until "Cha!" This time Weavile was sent directly up, rather than across the arena. He was facing upwards so he couldn't see Pikachu grinning.

"Piiiiiiiii..." Annnnndddd... He was gone again, this time appearing in the sky, just above Weavile, and span to deliver the "KA!" SPIKE!

The tail slammed into Weavile with immense force, and like a rocket the he was sent blasting to the ground. There wasn't an explosion, but with the suddenly burst of dust there might as well have been. Pikachu landed just outside the range of the 'explosion', smiling to himself, that was fun!

Ash could tell Pikachu was letting the fun cloud his battle instincts. "Keep on guard! He might get back up!"

"Pika chu." Doubt it. He grinned wider.

When the dust parted Weavile was revealed to have made a small crater in the middle of the arena, his eyes little more than spirals as it become clear he wouldn't be fighting anymore. Not that it'd have mattered. How do you fight something you couldn't even hit? Pikachu's little fun had put his opponent down for the count, and to think. Iron Tail Volleyball had been developed merely as a training game.

"Weavile is unable to battle! Grandmaster Ash Ketchum is the winner!"

Once again the crowds roared, from all sides screams of adoration and glee rained down upon the recently crowned Grandmaster but he paid them no mind. His hands were still shaking, so bad that he'd closed them into fists. What the hell was that? That wasn't a fight! That was...his teeth gritted, but he forced himself into a composed state again. He'd worry about this later, much later. He had enough problems as it was.

Harrison withdrew Weavile with a flash of red light, a grimace on his face as he did so, that had been a heavy blow to his Pokémon, and his pride. Still he managed to smile. "Good battle Ash. You really are strong enough to be Grandmaster. I'll train hard, and make sure I'm at the championship one day."

Ash nodded, smiling. "See you there."

Harrison nodded too, before he walked off. Ash watched him go with curious eyes, wondering eyes. What had happened? Four years ago Harrison had been the one to walk away with the victory, if narrowly, and now...well now Harrison wasn't even in his league. He didn't get it. Sure, Ash understood that he'd trained extremely hard for the championship, and it's natural that he would have a stronger team. But surely...Harrison should have been stronger that that, right?

He watched Harrison walk into the shadowed hall that was on his side of the arena, and from where he stood Ash could see who was inside. There was three people there, all about Harrison's age, the two boys gave him a slap on the shoulders and Ash guessed some encouraging words, before the female of the group suddenly embraced him. Like a hammer arm it suddenly hit Ash with immense force.

Ash had sacrificed everything else, and won it all.

Harrison had not, but still won a lot.

Sacrifice...Ash could have really thought about this, but his feelings turned to the more convenient form of anger, and that anger quickly moved towards a convenient fact to target. How he'd been...cheated. How he'd been subjected to that mockery of a battle!

Ash turned, venting a noise akin to a growl as he walked off, Pikachu on shoulder. His steps were rushed, deliberate and angry. The crowds ate it up, in days to come they'd say of how the Grandmaster was so incredibly bored in the battle that he'd taken the first opportunity to leave.

Once again, only a few truly knew Ash to know that wasn't the case.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Misty saw him leave. She stood up.

She went after him.

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

She watched her son leave, and she knew right away something was wrong. She was about to stand up when-

Delia felt a hand on her shoulder, and turned to face the Dragon Master. "Sorry, Mrs Ketchum. He has to come to terms with things, and he has to do it alone." He turned and smiled. "Just be there when he's done, alright? That's when he'll need you."

Delia looked distressed, but she wasn't a Pokémon trainer, she didn't understand the inner workings of a trainers mind, and Lance did seem a trustworthy man. He wouldn't dispense deliberately bad advice.

Still, she didn't like just sitting this one out, but if it was the best way to help Ash, she would. And she'd always be there when he needed her. Her thoughts were suddenly shattered when she noticed something, a familiar figure sneaking right into where Ash had gone.

She smiled.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

An empty locker room had its serene silence shattered as its door was thrashed open. A restless Ash found his way inside, Pikachu jumping down as Ash's body started shifting randomly.

"Pika chu?" What's wrong?

"I don't know!" His fist hit a locker. "Dammit!" He hit it again. "Just leave me alone!" He took a breath, violently shaking his head. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry! It's just..." He forced himself to breathe. "...I don't what's wrong and I don't wanna take it out on you. You're one of the few I have left...please, just let me have some time on my own."

"Pikapi..." Ash...

"Pikachu...please."

Pikachu looked up at his friend, he didn't know what was wrong this time. This was new, a new problem, perhaps the starting of a different spectrum of problems. For so long battling had been part of their lives, what did it mean when battling actually became a problem?

He didn't know what he could do, and Ash wasn't going to tell him what was wrong yet.

Not until he understood it himself.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Misty had moved swiftly, and more than once nearly lost track entirely of Ash. She'd had to stop, and listen to footsteps before continuing onwards but even that had eventually stopped. It was only by the mumblings of a familiar Pokémon had Misty finally taken the right turn.

She turned a corner into the locker rooms to find Pikachu, sitting up against the wall with his arms crossed, clearly worried. "Pikachu?"

His ears twitched, and he looked up to see. "Pikachupi! Cha Pikapi, pika! Pi chu ka chu pikachu pika pi kachupi kachu." Misty! Help Ash, please! I don't know what's wrong with him and he won't talk to me.

She guessed right away Ash was inside the door, and she put Azurill down before walking to the door and opening it Had she only understood Pikachu's words fully, they might have reached her bitter heart, and combined with what she found, it might, might have just been enough to put her defences down. She might have reached out with an open heart.

Maybe that would have been enough to erase the distance.

She found Ash pacing the locker room, panting, angrily ranting in mumbles to himself. She had trouble making out what he was saying, but some phrases emerged from the muttered rantings.

"...damn waste of time...idiot...shouldn't have..."

Ash hadn't even noticed anyone had come in. He soon stopped pacing, instead his body expressing its frustration in other ways. He'd finally stopped moving, his angered breath quickly growing heavier as his hands clenched tighter, his pain, rage, frustration and confusion reflected in the eyes that had still yet to notice Misty was even there. His body started to shake, the cause of which Misty wasn't sure, but the frustration his body betrayed only seemed to be getting stronger, as did everything else. Ash was a volcano of emotion, wild, confused and damaging emotion and he looked close to eruption. He was still muttering to himself but Misty was no longer paying attention. She couldn't leave him like this. Against all reason, all the bitterness in her heart, all the pain, against everything she did the only thing she could think to do.

She strode forward, and wrapped her arms around him.

Ash stopped shaking, stopped speaking, stopped...almost everything. Now there was almost silence, the only sound Ash's heavy breath as he stood there, transfixed in the embrace that had claimed him. For a time, this was how things were. Ash didn't speak, not in words of a spoken language. He found other ways to speak, his breathing slowed, his body slowly relaxed, every handful of seconds showing another stage of his dissent from his stress. In time Ash blinked, slowly, his face slowly changing, relaxing. His mouth closed, his shoulders finally ceasing their near-violent motion.

He slowly raised his arms, hesitantly, but instinctively placing them around her. He finally leaned in, letting his head come to rest next to her own as he closed his eyes. Finally, his breathing was relaxed. He took a moment, to breathe in deep, filling himself with the scent that he could only have called 'Misty'. It was her, and she made him...he exhaled...so at peace. It was gone. The frustration, the anger, the confusion was all gone. This moment, this embrace, and Misty were all that mattered.

He smiled, and clasped Misty just a little tighter and closer to himself. Misty too smiled, and did the same. Now there was only the two of them, standing against one another, almost as one. All they really knew was one another, a memory searing into their minds as they stood there, taking it the details of one they held.

Ash took in how Misty had somehow become slightly shorter than him, her form now a subtle mixture of delicate and strength, but somehow all of her seemed to be so welcoming. 'Scrawny tomboy' was something which Misty had long since ceased to be. Gone was the little girl who 'looked like a boy' as Ash had so tactlessly put it in his younger days. She had become a young woman. One who felt wonderful just to hold. What had time done with that little girl who'd fished him out of that lake?

It didn't matter. No matter how much she changed. No matter how much she grew. Misty...he breathed her in again...would always be Misty.

Misty took in how much Ash had changed. He'd grown so much, a strong upper body having replaced the muscle-less but fat less one she remembered, his arms and body carved by the trials he had put himself through for his goal. His arms held such strength, and gave her such comfort and feeling of safety. What had time done with that little boy who'd destroyed her bike?

It didn't matter, because even though time had passed, and things had changed...she breathed in his scent, oh how she'd missed it...Ash would always be Ash.

Both gripped just a bit tighter, moved just a little closer, lost themselves in the embrace just a little more

Were it only possible to bottle things such as this, to perfectly preserve the most precious and perfect things. The scents, feelings, touch. Yes, touch should have been preservable, and this moment among the first to find itself cast in time, ever re-playable on a whim, every detail explorable a thousand times, and a thousand again, and perhaps...a thousand more after that. The feelings of warmth, of comfort, the way they just were, a moment of tranquillity, free of all of their history, all of their pain. Everything else faded away, leaving only two young would-be lovers where they belonged.

How could something so simple be so wonderful?

How could something so wonderful be so...tainted?

Only out of sheer will, Misty lowered her arms, and like the surface of glass the moment started to crack, and soon the brittle covering briefly hiding the truth would shatter, and the destructive light behind would shine right through. The world that Ash had created would dominate reality once more, and there was nothing he could do to stop it, and he knew that he had no right to try to do so.

Still...Ash could not refrain from stealing an extra handful of seconds, and one last breath of her.

Then finally, the glass shattered. Ash let his arms fall from her, let them fall to his side, his world seeming to fall with them as she took a step away. For a moment both still stood there, gazing into the eyes of the other, with so much that could have been said, yet they said nothing. Years of distance, of doubt, of mistakes and resentment cast its venom into the air, and neither knew what to say to the other. It was such a strange thing, how emotions could so easily sway reason, where even a simply apology might have helped calm the tides of the moment, or "why?" could have swept it forward, if into uncertain seas, yet both chose to remain in the crushing waves of their silence.

Misty slowly turned around, before slowly walking away. She found the door she'd entered through, opened it and parted through it without a glance back. She left in silence.

Silence...

"Misty..." There was a brief splash as a drop hit the ground. Ash was shaking again, his face bowed as his expression twitched, first once before more and more joined it. Once again Ash was fighting something down, fighting something desperate to get out. He fell to his knees, his fight robbing him of his power to stand as he forced his gaze downwards. His mouth twitched, his teeth clasped together, gritting against one another even. He gave a gasping breath, his teeth parted briefly, and something almost escaped, but Ash's defences were not yet so broken that it escaped fully, it was choked back. He grasped both sides of his head, his hands pushing upwards, slipping under the fabric of his hat. He slowly pushed upwards, forcing it ever upwards, higher and higher as his body shook.

It fell, and with it so did Ash's defences. As it hit the ground his head was thrown back, his fists slamming into the floor with all the force they possessed, his back arched, his body unified in a single act.

Silence became long forgotten as it fell before a single sound.

A sound of Rage.

A sound of Sorrow.

A sound of Pain.

A sound of Regret.

But most of all it was underlined with Blame.

Blame upon himself.

Until once again...there was silence.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"What have you done to me?"

"I've...broken you."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

End of Chapter

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Author's Notes:

Angst and Ash in a battle, what more do you want?

What's that? You want a book that doesn't need to use over 13,000 words just to make one chapter without much plot advancement? You better go read another book then, because this one's written by a lazy ass who loves hearing himself talk.

Show of hands (or say so in reviews as the case may be): Who honestly thought Misty was going to follow Ash and just forgive him, no questions asked? I think the way I constructed her reactions to Ash's distress could have given that impression (yes, a tweaking may have been a good idea in retrospect), so I'm curious.

Before anyone decides to wonder; yes, there was a point to showing Ash battle (besides the obvious changes in himself). I have something planned for it, trust me. Let's just say this is not the last of Ash's battles you'll see.

Some of you will likely say it, so before you do; Flash Step does seem very overpowered for a move (was designed to be that way), but just wait. That's going to be addressed too. It's not as flawless as it seems.

Both the above points will be addressed in the same part of the story. Trust me, when I overdo something and get it wrong, oh yes it's horrible, nightmarish even (you should see my absolute worst screw-ups. Wait, actually you probably shouldn't), but when I get it right, oh then it's something for ages.

Now let's see if I can get it right.

To May and Dawn fans (and to a lesser extent, Brock fans):

Sorry I haven't included the three in the book much, but the focus of the story really is really on Ash and Misty for the most part, for obvious reasons (okay, Ash more than Misty but you get my point). I will attempt to include them more but I make no promises.

Minor thing, but it's info I may need for later:

Does anybody know if Ash had any kind of portable communication device by the time he went to Unova/got in Unova (in the cannon)? Like a PokéNav/PokéGear or something? If it's never been clarified in the series I'll just throw something in, but if there was an actual device he was using I wanna know.

Answers in review or via PM are fine.

Thanks in advance.

One Last thing: Chapter titles!

Suppose I should get around to titling chapters, so I'm open to suggestions. PM me any suggestions you have, and please state what chapter you're suggesting the title for.

If your suggestion wins you'll get the credit in the author's notes.